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Why Is Sami Zayn Banned from Saudi Arabia? Controversy Explained

Sami Zayn is one of the prominent wrestlers in today’s generation. He is presently contracted to WWE, where he competes on the SmackDown…

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Sami Zayn is one of the prominent wrestlers in today’s generation. He is presently contracted to WWE, where he competes on the SmackDown brand.

Prior to joining WWE, Sebei competed for Ring of Honor under the ring name El Generico, portraying a Mexican luchador with the catchphrase “Olé!” From his debut in 2002 until 2013, he wrestled while masked. 

He began performing without a mask after signing with WWE, eventually capturing the NXT Championship while in WWE’s developmental brand NXT and becoming a three-time Intercontinental Champion after being promoted to the main roster. 

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Turn those clapping hands into angry balled fists. pic.twitter.com/fbDfzA3nJE — Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn)

His fan popularity skyrocketed in 2022 because of his critically lauded work with The Bloodline. Despite being one of the beloved wrestlers in WWE, Zayn has not participated in any of the competitions held in Saudi Arabia.

This has led many to believe that he is banned from the country and ask —  “why is Sami Zayn not allowed in Saudi Arabia?” Here is everything we know about it.

Why is Sami Zayn banned from Saudi Arabia?

Following Vince McMahon’s return to the board of directors as Executive Chairman, WWE was shaken by reports of an impending sale. Initially, companies like NBC, Disney, and Liberty Media surfaced as prospective owners. 

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But later, Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund rose to the top of the rumor mill. This sparked some concerns about specific wrestlers quitting WWE if the purchase went through, including Zyan.

Sami Zayn strongly supports the Syrian people and their rights.

Sami Zayn strongly supports the Syrian people and their rights. (Source: )

Zayn is not exactly banned from the country. However, he does not participate because of his religion, ethnicity, and beliefs against Saudi Arabia’s regime.

Zayn was born in Canada, making his nationality Canadian. However, his parents are Syrian immigrants who left the country in the 1970s and relocated to Canada.

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As a result, Zayn is of Syrian ethnicity, and his religion is Muslim. He has always spoken in support of the Muslims and Syrian people who have been affected by the war.

Because of his Syrian ethnicity, Zayn has never wrestled in WWE events in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s government has been involved in Syria’s long-running civil conflict. 

poor Sami Zayn and also RIP WWE women’s wrestling – this is terrible news https://t.co/AF4U9Ee07k — Drew Beringer (@drewberinger)

Saudi Arabia’s leaders most likely regard him as a problematic individual who does not share their principles and goals. In the case of Saudi Arabia’s purchase of WWE, especially if the state takes the firm private and exercises ultimate control over its activities, the two parties are unlikely to cohabit.

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There are chances that, along with Zayn, his friend Kevin Owens would also depart from WWE. The two have been inseparable for most of their careers, which is why many fans feel Owens would follow Zayn out the door if Saudi Arabia took over.

Rumors debunked

WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque allegedly addressed reports of the business being sold to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund at a talent meeting with WWE Raw superstars on January 15, 2023.

Triple H conducted the meeting with veteran producer Kevin Dunn and WWE Executive Vice President of Talent Dan Ventrelle, where they debunked the rumors. 

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Contrary to reports stating otherwise last night, there is no deal in place at this precise moment for WWE to be sold to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund or any entity, sources say.

The organization is still exploring all options, I’m told. Developing. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)

According to combat sports specialist Ariel Helwani, WWE did not agree to sell to Saudi Arabia or any other organization and was “still evaluating all alternatives.”

During the talent meeting, it was also reiterated that Triple H is “firmly in control of creative, and that talent relations are not changing.”

How old is Sami Zayn? His height, weight, and net worth

Zayn was born on July 12, 1984, in Laval, Canada. At the time of writing, his age is 38.

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It is reported that his billed weight is 212lb or 96 kg. Similarly, his billed height is 6 ft 1 inch or 185 cm. 

The net worth of Zayn is reported to be more than $2 million. He earns more than $200,000 per year, excluding Pay-Per-View profits, while he used to make more than $500,000 yearly. 

He joined WWE in 2015, and his salary has fluctuated throughout the years. In 2018, it was reported that his salary was more than $500,000 per year. 

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The wrestler also makes money through his merchandise and YouTube page, where he routinely posts videos. He has endorsed products like WWE Shop, WWE 2K games, and others, which fueled his net worth.

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Alex Warren ‘Fever Dream’: The Hype House Alum Enters a New Era with Vulnerable Ballad

Fresh off his Grammy-winning night, the ‘Ordinary’ singer returns with a raw anthem about finding love when you’ve lost all hope.

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Alex Warren 'Fever Dream': The Hype House Alum Enters a New Era with Vulnerable Ballad

Alex Warren is officially cementing his place as one of the definitive voices of his generation. On Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, the Grammy-nominated superstar released his highly anticipated new single “Fever Dream,” marking the start of a sophisticated third album cycle. While Warren first captivated audiences as a founding member of the TikTok collective Hype House, his trajectory into a legitimate pop powerhouse has been one of the most remarkable transformations in the digital era.

The release of “Fever Dream” follows a career-defining month for Warren. Earlier in February, he took the stage at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards for a hauntingly beautiful performance of his #1 hit single “Ordinary,” which earned him critical acclaim for his vocal growth and stage presence. This new track continues that momentum, leaning into a raw, cinematic sound that explores the psychological weight of unexpected romance.

At its core, “Fever Dream” is about the disorientation of falling for someone at the exact moment you’ve decided to give up on love entirely. The chorus captures that sense of hallucinatory shock: “Left the room the second that you walked in, somethin’ like a fever dream / Haven’t slept in weeks, I think I’m seeing things / Like our shadows dancing us out of our clothes / I’ll be damned if you love me, damned if you don’t.”

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The production on the track highlights Warren’s signature ability to blend vulnerable, raspy vocals with a grand, orchestral-pop backdrop. Since the release of his debut projects, Warren has shifted away from the polished teen-pop sounds of his early career toward a more mature, singer-songwriter aesthetic that resonates with a wider demographic.

In interviews leading up to the release, Warren has been candid about his creative process, describing his upcoming third album as his “most honest work yet.” He credited his wife, Kouvr Annon, as a major source of inspiration, noting that the stability of their relationship has allowed him to revisit his past anxieties about love with a fresh perspective. As “Fever Dream” begins its climb up the streaming charts, it’s clear that Alex Warren is no longer just a “TikToker who sings,” but a world-class artist leading the 2026 pop landscape.

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Bruno Mars ‘Risk It All’ Lyrics: Everything to Know About the Emotional New Wedding Anthem

The Grammy winner celebrates a lifetime of love in a tear-jerking music video that follows a couple from their wedding day to their golden years.

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Bruno Mars 'Risk It All' Lyrics: Everything to Know About the Emotional New Wedding Anthem

Bruno Mars is officially ushering in a new era of romance. On Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, the Grammy-winning superstar released his long-awaited solo studio album, The Romantic, marking his first full-length solo body of work in a decade. While the album is packed with the groovy, retro-soul vibes fans have craved since 24K Magic, the standout track “Risk It All” is already being hailed as the ultimate wedding anthem of the decade.

The release was a synchronized event for the “Hooligans,” as Mars dropped the full album and the cinematic music video for “Risk It All” simultaneously at midnight. The track is a soaring, piano-driven ballad that explores the lengths one is willing to go for a soulmate. “Say you want the moon / Watch me learn to fly / Ain’t no mountain you could point to / I wouldn’t climb,” Mars croons in the soaring chorus. “It’s crazy, but it’s true / There’s nothing I won’t do / I’d risk it all for you.”

The accompanying music video, directed by Mars alongside longtime collaborator Daniel Ramos, adds a tear-jerking visual layer to the lyrics. The video features Mars getting married to a woman, and in a rapid-fire sequence of beautifully shot vignettes, we watch their life together flash before our eyes. The narrative follows them through the milestones of buying a home and raising a family, eventually showing them as an elderly couple still deeply in love. The video’s “life-flash” concept has already drawn comparisons to the emotional opening of the movie Up, with fans taking to social media to share their “ugly cry” reactions.

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The arrival of The Romantic follows a series of massive global wins for Mars. In 2025, he became a dominant force on the charts with record-breaking collaborations like “Die With a Smile” with Lady Gaga and the viral sensation “APT.” with BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ. While those tracks leaned into pop-rock and upbeat energy, “Risk It All” signals a return to the solo vulnerability and soulful balladry that first made Mars a household name with hits like “Just the Way You Are.”

Co-produced by Mars and D’Mile, with songwriting contributions from James Fauntleroy and Brody Brown, the album is a compact, intimate journey that Mars describes as his most personal work yet. To celebrate the launch, the singer opened “The Romantic Flower Shop,” a pop-up event in Los Angeles where fans can receive exclusive merchandise and themed bouquets.

The new music arrives just as Mars prepares to hit the road for “The Romantic Tour,” a massive stadium trek kicking off this spring. The tour has already sold out multiple nights at major arenas, proving that even after a decade between solo albums, the world is still more than willing to risk it all for a ticket to see Bruno Mars.

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Purple Hearts 2 Update 2026: Release Date Rumors and Sofia Carson News

It’s been a year since Netflix released the romantic film Purple Hearts, and fans are eagerly awaiting news of a sequel.Purple Hearts‘ dedicated…

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Purple Hearts 2 Update 2026: Release Date Rumors and Sofia Carson News

It has now been over three years since Netflix released the record-breaking romantic film Purple Hearts, and the digital clamor for a sequel is louder than ever. Despite the film being a self-contained story based on Tess Wakefield’s novel, the chemistry between Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine has left fans unwilling to say goodbye to Cassie and Luke.

Is Purple Hearts 2 Confirmed for 2026?

As of January 2026, Netflix has not officially confirmed Purple Hearts 2.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube were flooded with “First Look” trailers and release date announcements claiming a 2026 debut. However, these are largely fan-made “concept trailers” using footage from the actors’ other projects.

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While Sofia Carson remains a staple at Netflix—recently starring in the rom-com The Life List (released March 2025)—the streaming giant has not moved the sequel into active production.

Why a Sequel is Still Uncertain

The likelihood of a sequel remains a subject of debate for several reasons:

  • The “Happily Ever After”: The original film concludes with Luke returning home and reuniting with Cassie, resolving the central conflict of their marriage of convenience.
  • Actor Availability: Nicholas Galitzine’s career has skyrocketed. In 2024 and 2025, he starred in high-profile projects like The Idea of You and Mary & George, and he is currently set to appear in The Sheep Detectives in May 2026.
  • Creative Integrity: Producer Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum and Sofia Carson have both stated they would only return if a script felt “just as special” as the first. In a March 2025 interview, Carson reiterated that she would “make the time for Cassie” only if the story were right.

Potential Plot for ‘Purple Hearts 2’

If a sequel were to happen, the narrative would likely shift from “convenience” to the “reality” of a military marriage. Potential plot points discussed by fans include:

  • Luke’s Post-Marine Life: Navigating life after being dishonorably discharged and finding a new career path.
  • Cassie’s Musical Fame: Dealing with the pressures of a rising music career while maintaining a long-term partnership.
  • Family Expansion: The challenges of starting a family while managing Cassie’s Type 1 diabetes and Luke’s recovery from past trauma.

Meet the ‘Purple Hearts’ Cast Members

The original ensemble remains the primary hope for a returning cast:

  • Sofia Carson (Cassie Salazar): Since Purple Hearts, Carson has solidified her status as a Netflix darling with Carry-On and The Life List.
  • Nicholas Galitzine (Luke Morrow): Now a global star, Galitzine’s return is the biggest question mark for a potential sequel.
  • Chosen Jacobs (Frankie): Although his character’s arc ended tragically, he could potentially appear in flashbacks or as a guiding memory for Luke.
ActorCharacterStatus in Jan 2026
Sofia CarsonCassie SalazarActive with Netflix (The Life List)
Nicholas GalitzineLuke MorrowFilming The Sheep Detectives
Linden AshbyJacob Morrow Sr.No current sequel attachment
Kat CunningNoraContinuing music/acting career

Summary: Will It Ever Happen?

While there is no Purple Hearts 2 release date, the door is not officially closed. Netflix often revisits its most popular IPs years later (as seen with the To All The Boys spin-offs). For now, fans should treat any “leaked” 2026 trailers with caution and keep an eye on official Netflix channels for a real announcement.

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